Fox Creek 2000 Reserve Shiraz

appearance
Deep red/black core with vivid red edges.

bouquet
This wine shows a powerful concentration of blackcurrant, licorice, chocolate and vanilla with an earthiness typical of the vineyards from which this wine is sourced. Spicy oak characters complement the fruit components perfectly.

palate
Mixed blackberry/blackcurrant with allspice and licorice. An integrated firm tannin structure supports the fruit, which balanced by acidity leads to a finish of extraordinary length and softness, typical of our finest Shiraz.

winemaking
The fruit (100% Shiraz) for the 2000 Reserve Shiraz was sourced from one vineyard (the Willows block) at Fox Creek and was harvested at 14° Baumé. This block consistently gives us the flavours that we seek in our Reserve wine. Fermentation on skins was for 8 days and a proportion (40%) of the wine was barrel fermented, once pressed off skins at 20°Baumé, to achieve integration of oak early in the maturation of the wine. Oak used was 98% new American and 2% new French (Alliers). The wine was matured for 15 months in oak, during which time it was pumped to tank and returned to oak three times. This process gives us the style of wine we desire and also offers us a chance to make any adjustments necessary, be they oak handling or acidity checks.

technical analysis

ph  3.41  TA  6.8  Alcohol 14.0%

ageing potential
Reflecting the vintage, this wine was made for medium to longer term cellaring and should offer good drinking to 2010. While approachable now, this Shiraz will further develop secondary characters in bottle. If cellared correctly, the delightful primary fruit of this Reserve Shiraz will be fully retained.

awards
Gold Medal, Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2002
Silver Medal (Equal Sixth) Great Australian Shiraz Challenge 2002
Silver Medal, Cowra Wine Show 2002
Bronze Medal, Royal Queensland Wine Show 2002
Bronze Medal, Perth Royal Wine Show 2002

viticulturist  Paul Watts  winemakers
Dan Hills & Tony Walker